Bochy: Lincecum confab was a pep talk…but there might be a bit more to it

I really am happy about the proliferation of social media. Until now, I did not truly comprehend the breadth of negativity from some folks, which is coming to the fore in the Tim Lincecum affair.

Understand that I’m not talking about the 98 percent of you who are upset, fearful and maybe even a little angry about Lincecum’s struggles this year, and who ask legitimate questions about his conditioning and focus, and whether he needs a start off to clear his mind. Those are the same questions we ask every day. I’m talking about the 2 percent who, based on two months, are ready to toss Lincecum in the trash after two Cy Youngs and countless great memories, including his performance in the game that clinched San Francisco’s first World Series title.

Trolls.

There will come a time when Lincecum has to go. It could be 10 years from now. It could be in a trade if the Giants sense they won’t be able to reach a long-term extension. But May 26, 2012 is not the time.

So why am I kvetching about these clowns if they’re just 2 percent? I don’t know. Sometimes I’m a cranky troll.

On Friday night I wrote about Lincecum being called into a meeting and speculated it might have to do with his conditioning because head athletic trainer Dave Groeschner summoned him and he struggles later in the game. That speculation was completely wrong.

Lincecum told me Groeschner was part of the meeting only by happenstance because he was asked to grab the pitcher before he walked out the door. Lincecum met with GM Brian Sabean and manager Bruce Bochy, who described it as a pep talk for a player who seemed to be down, as anyone would expect him to be.

“He’s taking it hard,” Bochy said. “We wanted to give him the message that we know he’s doing all he can. ‘Hey, you’re throwing the ball well. Sure, you had a hiccup in the 6th inning. that’s going to happen. The only thing you’ve got to do is keep working.’

“More than anything you let him know we’re all in with him. All you ask a guy is to give all you have. Timmy’s doing that. He’s done it every start.”

I suspect there was a bit more to the meeting than that.

Hitters obviously have adjusted to Lincecum and he’s having a hard time adjusting back. He has to be smarter about what pitches to throw and when. Chris Coghlan started Friday’s game batting .106. Lincecum got ahead 0-1 with a fastball that was still humming and moving at 91 mph. So why throw a curveball to a hitter who’s clearly struggling, especially after he hung one to Giancarlo Stanton earlier in the game?

These are things that higher-ups notice and usually convey.

Today’s lineup against lefty Mark Buehrle:

Blanco CF

Theriot 2B

Cabrera LF

Posey C

Pagan CF

Pill 1B

Arias 3B

Burriss SS

Bumgarner P

Madison Bumgarner is coming off a good start in Milwaukee that ended badly when he allowed a two-run Ryan Braun homer on his final pitch. That tied a game the Giants won in 14 innings.